June-July 2010

Industry News

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A Record Twenty-Two Finalists Announced for the 2010 Challengers Award® Competition
from IWF Show Management

ATLANTA, GA, USA  —A record twenty-two finalists for the 2010 competition have been announced by the Challenges Award judges. Sixty-five companies entered 80 new products for the 2010 Challengers Award®.

“The judges previewed the entries and determined twenty-two new products from twenty-one companies have risen above the competition. We’re not doing this for publicity, it’s 110% legitimate to have twenty-two finalist based upon the quality of the entries,” commented Riccardo Azzoni IWF 2010 Chairman and President of Atlantic Machinery Corporation based in New Millford, Connecticut. .. Read more . . .

U.S. monthly house price index rises 0.8% from March to April
from Residential Design & Build, June 2010

WASHINGTON, DC – June 22, 2010 – U.S. house prices rose 0.8 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis from March to April, according to the Federal Housing Finance Agency’s monthly House Price Index. The previously reported 0.3 percent increase in March was revised to a 0.1 percent increase. . . Read more . . .

Machine Maintenance Requires a Database
by Patrick Molzahn and John Nichols in Wood Tech News Digital Magazine, June 2010

Last month we covered the three main principles of preventive maintenance: Keep your machinery clean, lubricated, and calibrated. With these principles in mind, we will endeavor to explain the basic concepts and commonly used practices for setting up a preventive maintenance program.

At some point, there will be a machine breakdown resulting in downtime and loss of productivity. This will have a ripple effect on the flow of product through your plant or shop. This can also have an impact on your ability to deliver finished goods to the customer or job site, which will have an effect on your business and could ultimately lead to the demise of a small shop. Not to be pessimists, but we live in a real world where machines break, parts wear out, operators can hit the wrong button, power fluctuates and compressors tripping offline can knock machines out or result in catastrophic crashes. We cannot see into the future, but we can actively shape the future. This is where an aggressive preventive maintenance program can significantly minimize machinery downtime. . . Read more

Norther Contours, Diverse Components, Exceptional Service
by Suzanne Vangilder in Surface & Panel Magazine, www.surfaceandpanel.com

The term “industry leader” is often associated with cutting-edge technology and high-quality
products. And Northern Contours, specialists in membrane pressed components since
1992, has these things. But what really differentiates the company is the service they
provide. In fact, by reaching customers and helping them to develop design programs that are
both unique and practical, Northern Contours has grown in capacity, product offering and market
segments served. However, more important than size, Northern Contours’ service-based operating
model results in innovation. By combining technologically advanced materials and equipment,
Northern Contours produces high-performance, design-oriented components that are increasingly
taking the place of traditional materials
in many different markets. . . Read more . . .

Senate Approves Formaldehyde Standard
In DWM Magazine, June 2010 issue

The U.S. Senate approved the Formaldehyde Standards for Composite Wood Products Act (S. 1660) last week, and the House may vote on it as early as this week. The bill directs the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulate formaldehyde emissions from composite wood products under the Toxic Substances Control Act, imposes key provisions of the California Air Resources Board (CARB) rule at the federal level, and gives the federal government authority to regulate formaldehyde in both domestic and imported wood products. . . Read more . . .

The Cost of Lean
by Jim Lewis for the I-Channel

There seems to be a perception among furniture manufacturers that the cost to implement the Lean philosophy exceeds the return on investment. ‘What does it cost?’ seems to be the first question we ask whether we’re buying a new car, renting a room, or talking to a Lean consultant. The first question should be, ‘What kind of return can we expect on our investment?’ Once you understand the return, it’s easier to calculate if the investment is worth the risk. . .Read more . . .

Dust Collection: 7 components to include
in Woodworking Canada, June 2010

When installing an outdoor dust collection system, be it an old or new one, there are several components that should be included assuming the dust can burn or explode. To find out what they are Woodworking spoke to Richard Stevenson, product manager at MacDonald Steel, Environmental Systems Division, a manufacturer and distributor of dust collection systems in Cambridge, Ont. . . . Read more . . .

Becoming Lean Not Just for the Big Guys
by Ken Rolfes for the I-Channel

Whether we are in a recovering economy or not depends on your perspective. However recent manufacturing industry reports indicate some strengthening in business indicators. Many are investing in improving their business to survive in today's world of over-supply in a constantly changing global business environment. Some companies are stepping up investments in tools and training to drive improved performance. These companies are working to position themselves to gain in the budding recovery.Read more . . .

Incentivizing Key Managers
By Ken Peterson, CKD – President, SEN Design Group for the I-Channel

While commissioning salespeople as a percentage of the gross profit achieved on their projects has become something of a standard in the kitchen and bath industry, no such standard has yet been established for rewarding key staff people or managers. I particularly like two incentive concepts for their flexibility and practicality, and trust that over the next decade they might be used extensively by kitchen and bath principals as incentives for these other valued employees. . Read more . . .

Greening Up the Finishing Room
By Phil Stevenson 0n WoodIQ.com

Everyone is looking for ways to add a little green to the bottom line. Wouldn’t it be nice if you could take a little paint and cover up the red ink on the balance sheet? Going “green” in the finishing department can do just that – change the red to green and add to your company’s overall profitability. Here is a list of ways to reduce costs and increase revenue.

Read more . . .

Turning a company around
by Gero Sassenberg in Cabinetmaker+FDM.com June 2010

How a long-established company can embrace change to succeed in today’s market.

Recently I had the opportunity to work with a large and well established architectural woodworking company. The well-funded company is presently managed by a third-generation family member. I was called in by the chairman to look at means to vastly improve the performance of the company. Sadly the profit margin over the last decade has been dismal. Presently the company finds itself in competition with bidders from far afield, undercutting its bids by 20 percent and more. . . Read more . . .

House approves homebuyer tax credit extensionHouse approves homebuyer tax credit extension
By Tami Luhby on CNNMoney.com, June 2010

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- The House of Representatives voted Tuesday to give first-time homebuyers three more months to close on their purchases and land an $8,000 federal income tax credit.. . . Read more . . .

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